Strengthening TB Pharmaceutical Management in Region IV-A Through Partnership and Capacity Building

In the Philippines, tuberculosis (TB) is the sixth leading cause of death, mostly affecting the poor and vulnerable populations. Stock-outs of TB medicines in public health facilities compromise treatment of patients with TB because of limited access and additional burden of out-of-pocket expenses for medicines. As part of the improvement of the overall supply chain of the TB program, SIAPS has been working with the Department of Health central office with focus on quantification, procurement, storage, distribution, and pharmacovigilance. In addition, the National TB Control Program (NTP) requested SIAPS to develop an action-oriented practical guide for TB pharmaceutical management.